Needle Felting Class and some Christmas Gifts

Meet Oscar:

… the product of a needle felting class at Fancy Tiger earlier today.
Isn't he a cute little gnome?


I have also been working on these little cuties as small Christmas gifts for some of my coworkers. I found the instructions on Ellison Lane as part of the Holiday Hostess series. The pattern is from Modern Handcraft:

They are quick and easy to make and are certainly looking pretty.

A Christmas Quote

It is Christmas in the heart that will put Christmas in the air … W.T. Elliott

This quote just about encompasses the Christmas spirit, doesn't it?

Christmas Decorations

Yesterday's moderate snowfall added its charm and makes me feel even more like Christmas. After last year's pre-Christmas debacle I promised myself that this year would be different. Better. Much better! The way Christmas season is meant to feel. 
I want to slow down a little. Be enchanted by lights and decorations. Enjoy a cup of eggnog, occasionally. Decorate my house. Feel warm and fuzzy and thankful.
Just like every year, I am not buying gifts. the run on stores is just not what Christmas is all about for me. I will however get some toys for the various toy drives in the area. The few gifts I am giving away will be hand made by yours truly. 

Inspired by a posting on Pinterest I did buy some decoration yesterday. I like the mix of letter styles even though it was more by necessity than choice, but it turned out nicely. I finally could make good use of that little wreath I had for several years. And this is what it looks like:

It certainly suits my love for anything French.


I have also been busy sewing up fabric Christmas calendars. They aren't very modern, but hey. It's all good in the spirit of things, right?! Here is a folk themed calendar. In Germany all the Christmas calendars end with "24" as that is the day the Christkindl brings the presents. The 25th is "just" the first day after Christmas. So, on this calendar I replaced the number 25 with a tag saying Merry Christmas.

This one fought my eye due to my love of snowmen. And this is the American version with 25 pockets. It also contains some orange to make it twice as nice.

And here is my Christmas wall hanging. Made from a Basic Grey (one of my favorite fabric designers) remnant it makes my happy each time I look at it. I found and bought the fabric just after Christmas in 2011 and had it on my wall for the time time last year.

Christmas Stocking

At today's FRMQG meeting and Christmas party we exchanged our swap gifts. A few months ago we chose fabrics and some instructions and placed them in a bag which was randomly picked by someone else. Today, we saw the results and I have to say I am proud to be a member of a quilt filled with such talented quilters.
I had asked for a Christmas stocking. Lyn made one for me and I just love it. Especially the fabric she added at the heel.

Now, I need to find a real stocking holder to do the honors.

Improv Piecing Class with Jacquie Gering

I was lucky enough to participate in a lecture and class held by Jacquie Gering. What a treat this was. After the lecture a bunch of us went to a local brewery and spent a few hours sitting around a fire pit in their yard talking and watching the moon.
Next day's class was about improv piecing as her Urban Garden Quilt. Wow, what an eye opener. Improv is not quite as easy as it looks. It's also not that difficult. It is liberating and exploring completely new avenues. I learned about angeles piecing and curved piecing. It was inspiring to see my class mates' work. …and I got my Quilting Modern book signed by Jacquie.

This is what I worked on. It's not the final arrangement, but a start. I am hoping to finish the quilt by January.

Today I love the
sound of owls in the morning
the taste of parsnip risotto
the sight of the moon
the feel of fleece
the smell of Chanel No 5